The two patients were transferred to the emergency room in a state of cyanosis, severe shortness of breath, slow pulse, and low blood pressure.
About 1 hour earlier, the patient ate pufferfish liver, then developed numbness in the tongue, lips, numbness in limbs, and gradually increased shortness of breath, so he was taken to the emergency room by his family.
As soon as it was determined that the patient had severe respiratory failure, slow-motion arrhythmia due to pufferfish poisoning, doctors quickly placed an endotracheal tube, controlled the airway, ensured respiration and washed the stomach.
Patients are actively resuscitated according to the protocol, strictly controlling respiration and circulation, combining treatment measures and comprehensive resuscitation care.
After 24 hours of intensive treatment, the patient was awake, out of danger and had his endotracheal tube removed.
According to doctors of the Intensive Care Unit, Poison Control - Stroke Department of Quang Ninh Provincial General Hospital, all hospitalized patients have symptoms of Tetrodotoxin poisoning - a typical toxin in pufferfish.
This toxin is concentrated in the liver, kidneys, pancreas, reproductive organs, eyes, gills, skin and blood of fish.
Tetrodotoxin toxin directly affects the nervous system. Just a few minutes after eating, patients may experience sensory disorders such as numbness in the lips, tongue, limbs; fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness; feeling of chest tightness, sweating, increased salivation, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting.
Severe cases may include tremors, jaw stiffness, limb paralysis, pupil contraction; then progress to whole-body paralysis, respiratory failure, cardiovascular collapse and death.
Doctors warn that pufferfish poisoning progresses very quickly, with a high risk of death if not treated promptly.
Reality has recorded many cases of patients dying during transportation, especially in ship and boat areas, remote islands, and places far from medical facilities.
It is recommended that people do not eat pufferfish, do not use pufferfish products such as: sausages, pufferfish flour; eliminate pufferfish right from the time of casting nets and fishing, and do not use pufferfish as food in any form.
If a person is found to be poisoned from eating pufferfish with symptoms of vomiting, numbness in the lips, mouth, legs, arms, drowsiness, lethargy, fatigue all over the body..., they should be quickly taken to the nearest medical facility for emergency treatment and timely treatment.
